BBMP warns citizens against laxity after 2 test positive for Covid variant
Of the 2 suspected AY.4.2 cases in Bengaluru, one had received both vaccine doses while the other was partially vaccinated; both had fever and lost sense of smell and taste
BENGALURU:
After two suspected cases of the AY.4.2 variant reported from Bengaluru, BBMP has once again cautioned residents not to lower their guard against the coronavirus. BBMP Chief Commissioner Gaurav Gupta has appealed to residents to continue with the precautions of wearing masks, maintaining a six-foot distance and washing hands regularly.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Gupta said BBMP has identified all 52 primary contacts of both the cases and all of them have been reportedly found Covid-negative.
Also Read: Two suspected cases of AY.4.2 variant of COVID in Karnataka sent for genome sequencing: Minister
No travel history
Sources told TheBengaluruLive that both the suspected cases are males. One of them has been vaccinated with both doses while the other is due for a second dose on October 29. Neither of the two has any travel history but both reportedly had high fever with loss of taste and smell, and tested positive after they voluntarily gave their samples for testing.
“One of the suspected cases is a resident of Dr SRK Nagar in KHB Colony in K Narayanapura who was staying in an individual house and has five family members as primary contacts. All the contacts are fully vaccinated,” said an official on condition of anonymity.
The other suspected case, a resident of Chandapura, has 47 contacts as he was working at an office in Domlur. Sources said that all 47 primary contacts, colleagues of the infected cases, were vaccinated. So far, no one has reported any symptoms. “This patient was symptomatic with high fever and loss of smell and taste, and he himself visited BBMP’s Domlur UPHC in July,” the source said.
Experts’ view
Gupta said that though experts have said that there is nothing to fear from the AY.4.2 variant, which is a sub-variant of the Delta variant, further action will be initiated as per the experts’ advice.
Moreover, despite the number of cases coming down, people should not lower their guard and should continue to wear masks. “We cannot leave aside our mask discipline and people should avoid risky behaviour,” Gupta cautioned.
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